The ceremony gathered delegates from various departments and directorates under the Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of National Defence, and Ministry of Public Security; representatives of the ADB; leaders from provincial Departments of Construction in localities with land border checkpoints with China and through which the GMS corridor passes; officials from the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China; executives from Chinese logistics and freight forwarding companies; the chairman of Hateco Group; and senior management from Hateco Logistics Joint Stock Company.

This marks the first official operation of Chinese freight trucks entering inland Vietnam directly under the GMS–CBTA framework, with a total of 20 transport units utilizing GMS Road Transport Permits and TAD Carnets (Transit and Dangerous Goods). 

The launch of this overland transport corridor into the hinterlands of both Vietnam and China holds strategic significance in fostering the implementation of the GMS–CBTA and constitutes a major milestone in the bilateral cooperation in cross-border transport between the two nations. 

It also signifies the official commencement of an international road freight service connecting China directly to Hanoi, serving as a concrete manifestation of substantive, efficient, and forward-looking collaboration.

Mr. Bùi Quang Thái, Director General of the Vietnam Directorate for Roads, emphasized the strategic value of the new corridor and called on competent authorities of both countries to enhance coordination with logistics service providers to develop the Vietnam–China freight route into a high-capacity, efficient, and sustainable transport corridor.

Mr. Zhang Tie, Deputy Director General of the Department of Transport, Ministry of Transport of China, expressed his appreciation for the constructive cooperation and acknowledged the proactive engagement of all stakeholders in promoting cross-border transport integration.

Mr. Ron H. Slagen, representative of the Asian Development Bank, reaffirmed ADB’s long-term commitment to supporting cross-border transport connectivity in the GMS and highlighted the importance of the corridor in advancing the vision of a more integrated and prosperous regional logistics ecosystem.

Mr. Nguyễn Văn Đức, CEO of Hateco Logistics JSC, underscored the company’s commitment to actively contributing to the development of regional transport corridors and global supply chains, reflecting Hateco’s philosophy of connectivity. partnership, and co-development with both regional and international stakeholders.

Mr. Zeng Bang, representing Chinese freight transport enterprises, expressed satisfaction with the successful deployment of the route and thanked Hateco for its coordination and operational support throughout the initial phase.

The operation of these two GMS-designated corridors is expected to deliver numerous tangible benefits, including enhanced multimodal and cross-border logistics connectivity; reduced transit times, costs, and customs formalities for freight operators; promotion of trade, investment, logistics, and industrial development in border regions; and acceleration of the vision for a deeply integrated, seamless, and resilient GMS economic subregion.

Earlier, on May 14, 2025, inaugural ceremonies for the operation of international overland transport services into Vietnam’s inland areas were held in Nanning City (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) and Kunming City (Yunnan Province), China. Convoys carrying electronic components, perishable agricultural produce, and general merchandise departed simultaneously from Nanning and Kunming, proceeded directly to Hanoi, and arrived at ICD Long Biên on May 15, 2025.

The ceremonial reception at Long Biên ICD marked a successful and symbolic commencement of a new chapter in regional cross-border freight cooperation.